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ICD-10 Coding for Chronic Dysphagia(R13.10, R13.11)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Chronic Dysphagia. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Persistent Swallowing DifficultyLong-term Dysphagia

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Chronic Dysphagia

R13.10-R13.19Primary Range

Dysphagia, unspecified to other specified dysphagia

This range covers all phases of dysphagia, which is essential for coding chronic dysphagia accurately.

Sequelae of cerebrovascular disease

Used to code underlying causes of dysphagia, such as post-stroke conditions.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
R13.10Dysphagia, unspecifiedUse when the specific phase of dysphagia is not documented.
  • General documentation of swallowing difficulty without phase specification
R13.11Dysphagia, oral phaseUse when the oral phase is specifically documented as impaired.
  • Documentation of oral phase impairment

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for chronic dysphagia

Essential facts and insights about Chronic Dysphagia

The ICD-10 code for chronic dysphagia is R13.10 for unspecified, R13.11 for oral phase, and R13.12 for oropharyngeal phase.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for chronic dysphagia

Dysphagia, unspecified
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

documentation Criteria

  • Lack of specific phase documentation

Applicable To

  • General swallowing difficulties

Excludes

  • Specific phase dysphagia

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • General documentation of swallowing difficulty without phase specification

Code-Specific Risks

  • May lead to under-coding if phase is known but not documented.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation supports the use of an unspecified code.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Dysphagia, oral phase

R13.11
Use R13.11 if documentation specifies oral phase involvement.

Dysphagia, oropharyngeal phase

R13.12
Use R13.12 if documentation specifies oropharyngeal phase involvement.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Chronic Dysphagia to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code R13.10.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to incomplete treatment plans., Regulatory: Increases risk of non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential loss of reimbursement for related conditions.

Mitigation Strategy

Thorough patient history, Link dysphagia to known conditions

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to lower reimbursement if specific phase is not coded., Compliance: Increases risk of audit due to lack of specificity., Data Quality: Reduces data accuracy for clinical analysis.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure the specific phase of dysphagia is coded if documented.

Impact

Risk of audits due to non-specific dysphagia coding.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies the phase and underlying cause.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Chronic Dysphagia, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Chronic Dysphagia

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Chronic Dysphagia. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Chronic Dysphagia due to Stroke

Specialty: Speech-Language Pathology

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Phase of dysphagia
  • Underlying condition
  • Functional impact

Example Documentation

Chronic oropharyngeal dysphagia secondary to prior CVA with oral phase impairment.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has long-standing swallowing difficulty.
Good Documentation Example
Chronic oropharyngeal dysphagia (8+ months duration) secondary to radiation fibrosis evidenced by: 20% residue in valleculae on 3oz thin trial.
Explanation
The good example provides specific phase, duration, and underlying cause.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Chronic Dysphagia? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

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